SATURDAY’S GAME
the loss
their depth
hit Cincinnati at No. 22 Mississippi State, 8:30 p.m., SEC Network
back-to-back 3s during a 12-point run that put Cin- cinnati ahead to stay.
“In the first half, we didn’t execute our game plan at all,” Steele said. “Give UC all the credit. They played tremendous defense.”
Cumberland’s long 3 built the lead to 11 points early in the second half. Cincinnati pulled ahead by as many as 20 points.
Big picture
first half of the season. They made only three of them.
Series
Xavier: Goodin was back after missing a win over Ohio The Bearcats have a 51-35 on Wednesday because of ill- edge in the series that started ness. Xavier’s top returning in 1928. Xavier has had the player also has missed sig- edge lately, winning four nificant practice time with of six, eight of 12 and 13 of a shoulder injury. He went the past 20. only 1-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc.
Cincinnati: The Bearcats emphasize defense first, and their front line dictated the game by preventing Xavier from getting the ball inside. Fifteen of the Musketeers’ 25 shots came from beyond the arc in their lowest-scoring
Last time
The Bearcats also won the last time the game was played on their home court, overcoming Trevon Bluiett’s 40-point performance for an 86-78 win. Cincinnati dominated the boards in the closing minutes to pull away.